Proverbs 14
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 14, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but {he that is} perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Proverbs 14:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
In the mouth of the foolish {is} a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Proverbs 14:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Where no oxen {are}, the crib {is} clean: but much increase {is} by the strength of the ox.
Proverbs 14:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Proverbs 14:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and {findeth it} not: but knowledge {is} easy unto him that understandeth.
Proverbs 14:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not {in him} the lips of knowledge.
Proverbs 14:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
The wisdom of the prudent {is} to understand his way: but the folly of fools {is} deceit.
Proverbs 14:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous {there is} favour.
Proverbs 14:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. {his own...: Heb. the bitterness of his soul}
Proverbs 14:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Proverbs 14:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof {are} the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth {is} heaviness.
Proverbs 14:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man {shall be satisfied} from himself.
Proverbs 14:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent {man} looketh well to his going.
16
A wise {man} feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
Proverbs 14:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
{He that is} soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Proverbs 14:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Proverbs 14:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich {hath} many friends. {the rich...: Heb. many are the lovers of the rich}
Proverbs 14:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy {is} he.
Proverbs 14:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth {shall be} to them that devise good.
Proverbs 14:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips {tendeth} only to penury.
Proverbs 14:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
The crown of the wise {is} their riches: {but} the foolishness of fools {is} folly.
Proverbs 14:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful {witness} speaketh lies.
Proverbs 14:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
In the fear of the LORD {is} strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 14:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
The fear of the LORD {is} a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
In the multitude of people {is} the king's honour: but in the want of people {is} the destruction of the prince.
Proverbs 14:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
{He that is} slow to wrath {is} of great understanding: but {he that is} hasty of spirit exalteth folly. {hasty...: Heb. short of spirit}
Proverbs 14:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
A sound heart {is} the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 14:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Proverbs 14:31 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Proverbs 14:32 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but {that which is} in the midst of fools is made known.
Proverbs 14:33 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin {is} a reproach to any people. {to any...: Heb. to nations}
Proverbs 14:34 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
35
The king's favour {is} toward a wise servant: but his wrath is {against} him that causeth shame.
Proverbs 14:35 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.